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Apple recently released a new support document detailing the issue behind the recent problems some iOS 6 users have been experiencing with FaceTime. According to Apple, a bug resulting from an expired device certificate has rendered FaceTime unusable on older versions of iOS and the only solution to the problem appears to be updating to the latest version of the operating system. Devices capable of running iOS 7 must be upgraded to iOS 7.0.4 or later, while devices unable to run iOS 7, such as the fourth-generation iPod touch, must upgrade to iOS 6.1.6. The following was mentioned regarding the matter:

If you started to have issues making or receiving FaceTime calls after April 16, 2014, your device or your friend's device may have encountered a bug resulting from a device certificate that expired on that date. Updating both devices to the latest software will resolve this issue.

If you're using iOS 7.0.4 or later or iOS 6.1.6, this issue doesn't affect you.

If you're using these versions of OS X or FaceTime for Mac, this issue doesn't affect you:

Although FaceTime does work with iOS 6.1.6, this particular update isnít available to recent devices that are able to run iOS 7, which means iOS 6 users with newer devices who wish to access FaceTime must upgrade to iOS 7. There appears to be a sizeable contingent of iOS users who opted to stick with iOS 6 over iOS 7 due to the drastic virtual changes introduced with the operating system update, so Appleís upgrade suggestion is likely to be unpopular with those users.

For those of you who didnít already know, Appleís FaceTime issues first began on April 16, with many iOS 6 users reporting an inability to use the service. At that time, it wasnít clear whether Apple would implement a fix but customer representatives have been presenting iOS 7 updates as a solution since the problem was first uncovered and it appears that Apple didnít plan to offer another solution. The company did however, release a FaceTime update for OS X users to fix the issue earlier this week.

lmao yeah ok Apple 199 years later this "bug" appears lol just lol. This **** is getting ridiculous. We paid for our devices. Stop forcing us to update our software. Push out whatever update you want, but come on FaceTime is a service. Don't do us dirty like that Apple....

What a load of crap! The SERVICE should continue working. But, hey... it is apple, and they do this all the time! Conclusion, people: DO NOT GET USED TO APPLE SERVICES, they will change and your device will not work anymore. Use 3rd party services (like Skype) and you will be OK (because they do not have a vested interest in whether you upgrade your device or not).

lmao yeah ok Apple 199 years later this "bug" appears lol just lol. This **** is getting ridiculous. We paid for our devices. Stop forcing us to update our software. Push out whatever update you want, but come on FaceTime is a service. Don't do us dirty like that Apple....

I always wonder, if we brought the iphone or just leased..I know we don't own the iOs, but i believe we do the phone. so we are entitle to install any os . instead of apples . but we can't, we have to stick we what comes with it, But to make a feature to expire its just ridiculous . i know we don't supposed to modify the os. but sometimes we have no choice, the best tweaks are on cydia.

lmao yeah ok Apple 199 years later this "bug" appears lol just lol. This **** is getting ridiculous. We paid for our devices. Stop forcing us to update our software. Push out whatever update you want, but come on FaceTime is a service. Don't do us dirty like that Apple....

The reason they don't sign older firmwares is to drastically cut down on support issues. It is much easier to isolate a problem if 90% of the devices are on the same firmware. Look at all of the fragmentation in android where you have a thousand different versions out there including custom roms. Support for that can be a nightmare.

It also makes the job a lot easier for developers who just have to test 1 or 2 versions of iOS instead of the whole gamut.

Actually this is false; right now Apple is forcing people to upgrade if they want to use FaceTime.

Originally Posted by slim.jim

The reason they don't sign older firmwares is to drastically cut down on support issues. It is much easier to isolate a problem if 90% of the devices are on the same firmware. Look at all of the fragmentation in android where you have a thousand different versions out there including custom roms. Support for that can be a nightmare.

Only supporting desired versions doesn't mean it's necessary to prevent the actual installation of said versions. Apple goes way out of their way to do the latter, forcing a verification with their servers with no way of opting out (which should be an option for advanced users, much like how one can choose to access root on OS X and other UNIX like machines) is nothing short of a huge overreach.

Actually this is false; right now Apple is forcing people to upgrade if they want to use FaceTime.

Only supporting desired versions doesn't mean it's necessary to prevent the actual installation of said versions. Apple goes way out of their way to do the latter, forcing a verification with their servers with no way of opting out (which should be an option for advanced users, much like how one can choose to access root on OS X and other UNIX like machines) is nothing short of a huge overreach.

Hmm I can FaceTime on 7.0.6 I guess the issue was, the others I was trying to FaceTime with where on versions lower than that. My wife upgraded to 7.1.1 last night and I can FaceTime with her just fine. FYI

How can you say that when it's clear that FaceTime no longer works on 6.x, and if one wishes to keep using it, then one is forced to upgrade. Also, if something happens to your device, you are always forced to use the latest. Forced. In these sort of situations, one cannot choose, you cannot "do what you want" because installing a previous version will fail (unless you're lucky enough to be able to make use of a downgrade hack.)